Halakhah su Deuteronomio 22:4

Nevertheless, it does not necessarily follow that a general obligation to be kind to animals or, minimally, a duty to refrain from cruelty to animals, can be inferred from any of these biblical regulations or even from all of them collectively. These regulations have been understood by some Sages of the Talmud as establishing particular duties, not as expressions of a more general duty. Nor is it demonstrably certain that even these limited and particular duties are designed primarily for the purpose of promoting the welfare of animals. Even with regard to the particular duty concerning removing the burden borne by a beast, the commandment does not necessarily reflect concern for the welfare of the animal. The obligation to release the ass from its burden (Exodus 23:5), i.e., to assist the owner in unloading merchandise or materials carried by a beast of burden, and the similar obligation to come to the assistance of a fallen animal (Deuteronomy 22:4) are understood by many classical commentators as duties rooted in a concern for the financial loss which would be suffered by the animal's master were the animal to collapse under the weight of the burden. Thus, in formulating the rationale underlying this commandment, R. Aaron ha-Levi of Barcelona, Sefer ha-Hinnukh, no. 80, declares:

To not leave the beast of his fellow falling under its load: That we have been warned that if we see a Jew whose donkey or other beast fell from the weight of its load or from another reason, or if he, himself, is crouching under his load (See Sefer HaMitzvot LaRambam, Mitzvot Lo Taase 270). that we should not leave him on the way and walk [away]; but [rather], we help him and lift up his beast with him, and we stay there until he has set up his load - either on his back or on his beast. And about this is it stated (Deuteronomy 22:4), "You shall not see the donkey of your brother, etc." - and they said in the Sifrei here [that], "'You shall not see the donkey, etc.' is a negative commandment."

To load the load that has fallen [together] with his fellow: That we were commanded to help our brothers when they need to place the load on the beast or on the person, and there is not someone to help them with the thing. And about this it states (Deuteronomy 22:4), "you shall surely pick it up with him." And this, they, may their memory be blessed, called (Bava Metzia 32a) 'loading (teinah).' And [there] they, may their memory be blessed, said that we [can] take payment for loading, but for the unloading - meaning to say, to help his brother to unload the load from upon him or from upon his beast - this obligation is upon us to do for free.